Beloved by Toni Morrison Major Motifs and Literary

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Major Motifs and Literary Devices to Consider n n n Memory Love (especially Sethe’s and Baby Suggs’ notions) Freedom Memory -- as a tool for learning (the ghost & water) Identify specific Literary Devices: repetition, imagery & flashbacks

Memory: Confronting the Past n n n Define “memory” What are the benefits of memory? Remembering? What is the down side? Identify three passages where “memory” has played a part in the unfolding plot Why are Sethe’s memories hard to understand? What does Morrison want us to feel and experience? Baby Suggs’ memory – (1)

Love n n n Let’s take a look at theme of “love” When we talk about “love, ” what do we mean? How does Sethe embody love? What does Morrison want us to experience here? n n n Think about Margaret Garner and what she did with her children Did she act in a loving manner? Did SETHE act in a loving manner? (1)

Flashbacks/Memory n n n n “Milk” – (1) Beloved’s funeral – (1) “Paul D dropped…” (2) Dialogue – (1) Baby Suggs (2) “Rememory” - (3) Secrets (3) Sweet Home – (6) n n n Notice how Sethe’s memories/flashbacks are haunting her She seems to forget the past or at least numb it until Paul D re-enters her life Songs/Singing - (3)

Repetition n n Spite (1) Howard & Buglar (1) “How loose the silk…” (2) Brother (2) n n Discussion of the past (3) Choosing (4)

Imagery, Foreshadowing & Description n n n When Paul D enters “ 124” -- color, setting Description of Paul D through Sethe’s eyes (1) Denver’s neglect & isolation (1) Sethe’s chokecherry tree (1) “Brother” - (2) Motif of H 20 (3)

Writers’ Analysis of American History & Society n n n Disenfranchisement of the Black Family Repetition -- spite (3), color (4), Baby Suggs’ death (4) Going to a carnival (4). Discuss the reputation of carnivals -- Why do people want to go to carnivals?

Relationships n n n Sethe and Denver Sethe and Baby Suggs Sethe and Paul D and Denver Sethe and Halle (having children) n n n Note Morrison’s style of writing What do you make of the first four chapters of the novel? Discuss Morrison’s definition of love